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Arnie's Back! Arnautovic Elbows His Way Back In To Squad

Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 15/09/2017 - 11:19

Slaven Billic will have a relatively pleasant problem to deal with ahead of West Ham United's visit to the Hawthorns this Saturday, the Hammers injury list that has been incredibly lengthy since what seems like the beginning of time is finally becoming manageable, currently only Manuel Lanzini, Edmilison Fernandez and Mark Noble are definitely ruled out of the squad to face Tony Pullis's West Bromwich Albion.

Monday night's euphoria following the 2 - 0 victory over Huddersfield Town at the London Stadium will count for nothing if the team is not prepared for the Aerial and set piece 'assault' that Tony Pullis demands from his players. Fortunately 'Elbows' Arnautovic is available for selection following his three match ban on only his second match for West Ham since his club record fee transfer from Stoke City, his height and that of Big Andy Carroll will most definitely be needed!

Arnautovic's inclusion was made easier because of the injuries to Noble and Lanzini, if both were fit Slaven Billic's decision would have been far more difficult to make. Even with Noble and Lanzini's absence the Hammers manager will have his work cut out keeping all his players happy, it will be a unique situation for the affable 49 year old to be in having endured "ridiculous an' all that" levels of injury to key players at crucial times.

To three or not to three?

How will the team line up against the Baggies? It is obvious to just about anyone with a pulse that three at the back is the "West Ham Way' forward, Fonte Collins and Reid were imperious on Monday, releasing Zabaleta to play a more advanced right wing back role and prove that he does indeed still have legs! Both he and Fonte played their best game of the season against the Terriers so it would be ludicrous to try fixing 'what ain't broke', more importantly is who else will make the starting line up? Hart in goal, the aforementioned back three, Cresswell on the left to compliment Zabman on the right, and then comes the selection head ache. Antonio has to start so that leaves four to select from: Kayoute, Arnautovic, Carroll, Hernandez, Sakho, Obiang, Ogbonna and Ayew.

If you were manager who would you pick? For what it's worth, Ed Jnr reckons Chic Pea should come off from the bench for the last half hour in order to punish West Brom with his pace! Happy head scrtatching. - Ed

For me at the moment he's something we don't really have. He's got pace, a trick or too and good in the air, plus an attitude. AsI said I sat next to him in the second half on monday and he was jumping around and even hugged my mate when we score, He does care and the sending off might inspire him to play more. As for money as I've said before they're all on too much money, I don't think nowadays we can single any individual out

why can't we single them out though? the fact they are all on the money is irrelevant to me. if you get paid 100k a week and can't see that running after someone like a kid in the playground and elbowing him isn't the right thing to do….all the jumping around in the world won't compensate for that. he's already cost us points, so as i said he needs to forget the kids play and produce what he's paid to…no?

Everytime someone does something that costs us whether it be points, yellows, reds, goals, you could single them out for earning too much. It becomes a moot point. I think Arnie will be great for us and will realise he didn't earn his money in his last game so needs to make up for it. That being said, money goes to their heads and they probably don't realise who's paying their wages and think it comes from a money tree in DS's garden. So giving the paying public what they deserve probably doesn't enter into their heads.

What so now we're gonna sit and blame him for everything going forwards. He helped cost us 3 points, but tbh the way we were playing it's unlikely we would have gotten any points anyway. Who was to blame on Saturday for us failing to score. I'm blaming Hernandez. My point was that what's done is done, you can't change it, he effed up big time, copped a fine and a ban and we move on.

And the four I'd play would be Herandes, Arnautovic, Carroll and Obiang. Arnautovic has the physicality needed against a Pulis team. We have to be able to bully them in the box on set pieces and not the other way around. I'd be inclined to try Chicharito in the hole as a false 9, because I think he is wasted on the wing. Although I remember him playing on the wing for Manure sometimes, I don't remember him scoring much from that position. Arnautovic and Antonio left and right, with both Carroll and Hernandez in the box -- I think we get two goals that way. It does mean that Zabs and Cress have to do a lot of work. For me Obiang instead of Kouyate because he is better in the holding role. But I could see any or all three of Sakho, Ayew and Kouyate coming on if things aren't working. I'd love to see us go for the win and not a boring draw, but I'm wary of Pulis and would grudgingly accept a point (which might just take us out of the bottom three).

If bilic decides to play 3 upfront in the same formation as last time he must insist on them playing more narrow allowing Hernandez and Antonio (less so) to not get stuck out wide. Both zabaleta and cresswell should do the wide work. I expect itl end 1-1 and Hernandez will have to play wide left taking his threat away. Let's see.

Next Fixture(s)

Liverpool FC v West Ham United Barclays Premier League Saturday 24th of February KO: 15:00 Hrs at Anfield
Swansea City v West Ham United Barclays Premier League Saturday 3rd of March KO: 15:00 Hrs at The Liberty Stadium